What does an anxiety attack feel like?
What does an anxiety attack fee like? This is a very common question, especially when you believe that you or someone you care about may be experiencing them.
There are many symptoms of anxiety attacks and panic attacks, which have been discussed in previous posts, but in this post, I’m going to go over what it feels like to have an anxiety attack, both from my own experience and experiences I’ve read about from others.
What does an anxiety attack feel like? Well, different people have different symptoms and experiences, but most agree that either it feels like their heart stops beating, or is beating at an elevated rate, sharp chest pains, tingling sensations all over your body, dry mouth. You can feel as if you can’t breath, get shaky and sweaty all over, or feel very clammy.
Anxiety attacks vary from individual to individual, but the above symptoms for the most part sum up the answer to the question “What Does an Anxiety Attack Feel Like”?
For more information on Anxiety Attacks and Panic Attacks, and how to deal with them and get through them, check out our book on Anxiety Attacks.
So… Yesterday I thought I had an anxiety attack. But it didn’t feel like that… So I’m wondering if it wasn’t an anxiety attack. Well, if it wasn’t an anxiety attack, then, what was it? I got extremely stressed out and I started crying and freaking out. I was shaking and scared to death. But it didn’t feel like a heart attack or anything. So having said that, before I began to cry, I had this feeling of breaking down. This feeling often happens to me when I do things I’m not comfortable with. Lump in the throat, cold chills, kind of like a kid on his first day to new school or something… I have this feeling very often and most of the time I fight back the tears and if I absolutely have to cry, I go somewhere alone, cry for about five minutes and I’m better. So… Anxiety attack, or what?
Melissa,
I wouldn’t say that any/all anxiety or panic episodes feel like heart attacks. That is a feeling that quite a few people equate to having an anxiety or panic attack, but it’s surely not exclusive. I have had plenty of experiences that certainly didn’t feel like a heart attack. My first impression from your comments above is that it does sound like a good number of the symptoms. Of course, I would recommend you consult with a professional, either a doctor or counselor for proper medical advice. We do offer a book that assists with how to deal with minor panic attacks. There are many suggestions that may help you with your feelings and working through them. There are many different behavioral as well as medical treatments that can help with the symptoms and help work through them.
Do you have these feelings quite often? I have been diagnosed with Bi-Polar, Depression, Anxiety, etc. and quite often have multiple symptoms simultaneously.